The AfD will not support one of the two discharge motions submitted by the Union on Wednesday, according to AfD leader Tino Chrupalla. The 27-point discharge motion of the Union’s parliamentary group in the context of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s (SPD) government declaration “will not be supported by the Bundestag faction of the Alternative for Germany”, Chrupalla told the “Tagesspiegel” (Wednesday’s edition).
On the one hand, this point contains provisions that could restrict the fundamental rights of German citizens, according to Chrupalla. “On the other hand, the foreign policy measures of the CDU/CSU would prevent a swift peace in Europe” he added.
The Union had submitted two discharge motions on the handling of migration in connection with the government declaration by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). The AfD will continue to support the five-point motion and a bill amendment, which is to be decided on Friday.
The five-point motion envisions permanent border controls at all German state borders, rejection of all attempts at illegal entry, the possibility of arrest warrants by the federal police and unlimited detention for asylum seekers deemed a threat by the authorities. The 27-point motion, in addition to the above, also includes additional powers for the security authorities, such as the reintroduction of the data retention law, which has been repeatedly struck down by courts, as well as stricter punishments.
Most of the asylum seekers who come to Germany are initially considered “illegally entered” as they cannot submit an asylum application before their entry. In Germany, however, they can exercise the right to asylum or the guarantees of the Geneva Refugee Convention and legally submit an asylum application. If their applications are approved, the refugees are deemed to be legally staying in the country.
In his response to the government declaration after the November coalition breakdown, Union parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) had stated that he would prevent the AfD from gaining a majority, even for a single day, because “these ladies and gentlemen on the right would like it if they suddenly gained a majority”.